A controlled compressor, pressure manifold, low-range gauge, air hoses, quick-connects, and the right Anderson plugs. The setup matters more than any individual piece of equipment.
Learn the H.U.N.T.E.R. Method →Pool leak detectors use a pressure manifold, low-range pressure gauge, controlled low-pressure compressor (not an automotive compressor), air hoses in multiple lengths with quick-connect fittings, and Anderson expansion plugs in multiple sizes to isolate and test individual plumbing circuits. The standard LBA kit uses an airbrush compressor, a pressure manifold, three air hoses (25 ft PVC, 50 ft hybrid, 25 ft polyurethane), and female and male quick-connect couplings. The test setup -- correct isolation, right plugs, verified rig -- determines whether the result is valid. A perfect rig produces a bad result if the isolation is wrong.
Provides controlled, low-pressure air output suitable for residential pool plumbing. An automotive compressor delivers too much uncontrolled pressure and creates safety risk on old PVC. The airbrush compressor (Central Pneumatic) is the standard in Jeff David's kit.
The central test assembly that connects to the plumbing circuit. Allows the technician to introduce air, monitor pressure, and control the test. Required for repeatable, controlled testing.
A readable gauge in the low PSI range allows the technician to detect small drops. A gauge with too wide a range makes it impossible to see the subtle pressure changes that pool plumbing testing requires.
Short hose for close equipment pad connections. Part: AIR-25-PVC. Source: Harbor Freight.
Longer reach for equipment pads set away from the pool. Part: AIR-50-HYB. Source: Harbor Freight.
Lightweight option for tighter work areas. Part: AIR-25-PU. Source: Harbor Freight.
Four needed. Allow rapid connection and disconnection between hose segments and manifold. Part: AIR-COUP-F.
Four needed. Pair with female couplings for flexible hose configuration at the equipment pad. Part: AIR-COUP-M.
The circuit cannot be isolated without the right plugs. Nylon closed plugs in four sizes and inflatable plugs for larger openings. Part numbers encode the size -- always order by part number.
A pressure test is only as valid as the isolation setup. The technician must know which line is being tested, what all the connected openings are, and whether every one of them is sealed or confirmed closed. A test rig that is perfectly assembled produces a false result if one port is left open or one plug is not fully seated.
Before recording any pressure test result -- pass or fail -- verify the test rig connections, confirm every plug is fully seated, and check that no valve is bleeding through to an adjacent circuit.
Automotive compressors are designed to fill tires at 30-100+ PSI with high volume. Pool plumbing pressure testing on existing residential plumbing uses much lower pressure -- typically in the range needed to hold a stable reading without stressing old PVC joints, brittle fittings, or skimmer bodies. An automotive compressor with an unregulated output can overpressurize a circuit in seconds, blow plugs out of fittings, or crack weak joints.
The airbrush compressor provides low, controlled, steady output -- right for the job.
Customer history determines which circuits to test first -- pump-on loss points to pressure-side, pump-off loss points to shell or fitting leaks.
Map every opening in the circuit before selecting plugs. Know what is connected before applying pressure.
Test one circuit at a time. Confirm the rig and plugs before reading the gauge. A setup failure looks identical to a pipe failure.
Controlled pressure. Verified isolation. Low-range gauge. Document start and end PSI with the test duration.
A confirmed pressure drop in a verified setup identifies the failing circuit. Locating the break within that circuit is the next step.
Document the test result with plug locations, start/end PSI, duration, and what was not tested. Retest after repair before closing out the job.
Jeff David is the founder of Leak Business Academy, LLC and Leak and Subsurface Locators, LLC. He is a licensed pool contractor in Florida and an FSPA Palm Beach board member. The pressure testing equipment described here is the exact setup used at Leak and Subsurface Locators -- airbrush compressor, manifold, three hose types, quick-connects, and Anderson plugs ordered by part number.
All 35 items, including the complete hose set and Anderson plug part numbers for every fitting size.
Download Free Equipment Guide View Training Resources